By Our Reporter
The spectacular re-emergence of an Auditor-General official, Raphel Muigai Ikame, at the centre of a multi-county looting scheme has cast a harsh light on the glaring failures of accountability within the very institution designed to safeguard Kenya’s public funds.
The lobby group Kenya Ni Yetu is demanding immediate action from the EACC and DCI to dismantle what they describe as a brazen operation where Mr. Ikame, an Audit Manager, allegedly used his position to facilitate theft instead of detecting it.
The System That Bounced Him Back
Mr. Ikame’s alleged current activities—colluding with senior finance executives in Tana River, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, and Lamu—are overshadowed by the fact that he was previously caught and then reinstated by the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG).
Public records show that in 2018, Ikame was interdicted over serious accusations of demanding a KSh 20 million bribe to manipulate audit findings for Kirinyaga County. While the matter was reportedly settled out of court, critics at the time warned that allowing his return represented a dangerous form of “institutional impunity.”
“Insiders insist that it exposed deep weaknesses in the Auditor General’s internal accountability mechanisms,” a source stated. “How was an official interdicted for a KSh 20 million bribery claim allowed back into a position of such immense trust? The OAG must answer for the failure of its internal systems.”
The Coastal Finance Syndicate
The latest allegations paint a picture of a well-oiled syndicate where the auditor himself allegedly worked with the audited officials.
In Kwale County, Ikame is specifically accused of colluding with top finance officials, including Finance Executive Member Sebe Bakari and Chief Officer for Finance Alex Onduko.
The situation was reportedly even more complex in Kilifi County, where the crisis deepened due to a highly controversial connection with former Finance CECM, Yaye Shosi Ahmed. Sources claim the alleged relationship created a severe conflict of interest that effectively neutralised financial oversight, providing a clear path for the manipulation of audit trails and the shielding of corrupt contracts.
Bragging of Protection
Despite the mounting evidence and public outcry, Mr. Ikame is reportedly bragging that he is “untouchable,” claiming strong links to high-ranking government officials.
In response, Kenya Ni Yetu is escalating its fight, planning to file a formal petition for his removal from office, alongside demanding an immediate lifestyle audit, and the freezing of his assets and accounts.
The focus is now squarely on the EACC and DCI. Their response will determine whether the rogue actions of one official will finally force the OAG to reform its internal processes, or whether the mechanism intended to police corruption continues to be a refuge for those who profit from it. The question facing the nation is: If the watchman is a thief, who audits the watchman?
